Electric furnace



Sept. 15, 1925. 1,553,619

L. D. KAY

. ELECTRIC FURNACE Filed Aug. 6. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 dummy swt. w25, i 1,553,619

L. D. MAY

ELECTRI C FURNACE.

Filed Aug.' 6' 1923 4 Shee'ts-Shei 2 fitkouyutf Sept. 15,1925.

' D. KAY

ELECTRIC FURNACE Filed Aug` 6, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. mms. L. D. KAY

ELECTRI C FURNACE Filed Aug, 6' 1923 4 Sheei--Sheet 4 i755? 5U l u IM, 5 f5 79 a@ wuenffofb fitto/r my# afl n.

'To all whom t may cmwe'rn:

This ihveiiion 'relates 15o furnaces, and pai'iicuzu'iyio electric u'iiaees. -ziiough features of che inventive may ine epplied to eiectic furnaces di'een lbypee, many of them are especiaiiy useui when applied to a tilting' fumaee,' ihm t@ say, a furnace in which the boy of he 'furnace is mmm'e to rock upon im axis so time Ene uinaee be iled no pom' iieme'i'en meai 'om im A 'preferred conerrucien' this type of furnace invoves the iis-eef e, suppei'tiug frame fm' the eiectroces. extenng; up :it the sid@ of the 'fm'imce azi cm'ying movable eieci'ode arms which extend 011@ -iave die 'furnace and. which carry the eiecti/'odea These eeeti'odee are ef ceiisieie'ble Weigii und ,by reason of the fase 'that the eiee-ode fu'iis ure heid ai', n reflgively high evei, it is deeii'abie to pi'ovide an suppom im the arms, 'that is to my, a supe'h Petrini@ eilig mi iistie o1' ne iost motion iha; Weu 'end to Wrench the eiectodes and posibly break iiem when @he furnace/is tiite.

n constructing; eiec'cie furnaees is like pressent pi'aeiee o construc ceve Wi''i.

'Wiien suppoi'ed in *die eieetie :mii im ly aiine with the Opening;7 edge 04j zhe opening must chipped Qu; se :is to permit 'he eiectmde ibo be mmgh. This diiiiuly arises in the con styuction of electric 'furnaces of :my 'yl e, whether they :1re feiltii'igg' uinsmss 01* nm;

t is aise die pi'esen practice '30 prevde iiolde': im the eieciwfiee with a Ve'ii'nieai'?. opening Hough it? /iu'ougi 'which die eecerode is passed, and tapez'ed bushings are provided inserted through the uppeA end the @peiling to jam agais; the fece of electrode and clump it in pesizen.' Thi. method is objec'tienabie because iie eieem'ode can only be removed with dfrieuy by piying o1' i'vixig die bus'iings upwrdiy.

En die use of eieeiie ummces? it, queniy, happens that, die eiectmde or eiec- :in electrode opening and il ze eeeawde,

medes will have a, very destmeive effec@ en a. pmfeuiaesm in ih@ wail the furnace,

` and diie necessitetee @ansia-nt repair a' this point n The generali object of my invention is 'ce oveeeiiie these diiieuit'ies a in Satisfy he zo provide a furnace ijn which the position of he electrode 01 eiec'zoes can be atered wi'i'i respee te the umace 'WML 4theiieby presenting; :new paths for 'the current alici p'evem ing eine cencezitmtion of the desue tive ef'ee', ed; a per'ieuim' paint on l*the W231i also te provide zi furnace in which the p0sition of the elecnode can be readily adapted "m the opening through the evei and to provide im 'sfigid sup'pmiiigA the eleci'edes7 at time same ime permitting ampie adg'ustmens 0f he same with respect to the furnace bey 01' te the (spelling in he cover; me? to previde improvements in the c'etas of such au furnace faciitaing the supporting of adjustmei'it ofthe electi'odes,

lfuther eogieets of' he invention will ap* The nvenaion eeneiss in die novel parts.

and emniiinatioii of pmfs to be described berein@fier5 ali of which cent'bute to prof duce an efcien: eeetrie umaee.

A. preferred embodiiuen: o'f the invention while the bmm Scope of the invention is pointed Gut in' I Tm iiie m l is e appends@ eiams,

on. a infimes and the eieetgode arm, ceain i Fig. (i is a vertical section taken through the upper part of the electrode supporting frame and showing a portion of the pulley bracket partly in elevation and partly in section.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken about on the line 7-7 of Figure 3, and passing through the upper part of the electrode supporting frame. This View shows a portion of the pulley bracket, -the same being broken away and shown partly in section.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one ofthe electrode holders.

'Fig 9 is a plan of the electrode holder shown in Figure' 8, but showing the electrode and bushing in cross section.

Fig. 10 is a section taken substantially on the line 10-1() of Figure 9.l

The furnace illust-rated includes a body 1 and the cover 2 through which electrode 3 pass into the interior of the furnace.

It is usual toconstruot a furnace cover such as the cover 2 with an opening or openings for the electrodes7 and the electrodes are supported in a fixed frame so that they project down through the opening. In constructing a furnace cover in that way, the opening for the electrode is not very accurately located and .it frequently happens that it is not in good alinement with the electrode. This necessitates the chipping out of the side of the opening to permit the electrode to pass down. Furthermore there is usually no provision for eli'ecting a shifting or alteration in the position of the electrode with re spect to the furnace Wall.

According to my invention I construct the furnace cover and the support for the electrode in such a way that the electrode can readily be positioned to adapt it to pass through the electrode opening, and I also construct the furnace cover in such a Way as to permit adjustments of the electrode to alter its position With respect to the furnace Wall.

` In order to accomplish this I provide the cover with an electrode opening which is larger than the` electrode and I support theelectrode in such a Way as to permit the adjustment of the electrode with respect to the opening. In order to accomplish this I prefer to provide the cover with a cap 4 Which is in the form of an elongated block of refractory material divided longitudi; nally into two cap members or side members 5 and o'. This cap member is preferably located on the longitudinal axis of the body and has an elongated opening T which extends longitudinally in it.

I provide a plurality of electrodes il, for example, three ol litem, and tlicse electrodes are supported each by an electrode arm 8 so that they extend down into the furnace.

:rfwr the electrodes have been properly positioned in the opening i', l then close mascia the opening through the cap 4 with a filler preferably composed of a plurality of lilller blocks 9 of suitable refractory material.

between the electrodes and also close the.

opening between the end ot' the slot and the outermost electrodes. These blclis may be given any desired form, but preferably those adjacent the electrodes have concave faces; to fit to the sides of the electrodes.

The furnace illustrated is of the tilting type, for which purpose the body 1 is provided with oppositely disposed trunnions l1 which are supportedin pillow blocks 12, and at one side one of the trunnions 1l is providedwith a tilting mechanism 1b by means of which the furnace can be tilted in order to enable the molten material to be poured from a spout M at either end of the furnace. i i

Rigid with the furnace I provide an electrode supporting frame 15 which'extends upwardly at the side or" the furnace, and this `frame 15 supports the electrode arms 8. The construction of this frame is such as toy permit the electrode arms 8 to be raised or .lowered and is also constructed so as to enable the electrode arms to be adjusted laterally in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of the body, and also in such a. Way as to enable the electrode arms to be tilted, that is to say, to be swung or adjusted in a vertical plane transverse to the axis of the furnace. In order to accomplish this the supporting frame 15 comprises a substantially rectangular main frame 1G comprising vertical side members 17 received in sockets 1S mounted on the furnace body. The side members 17 are connected integrally by an upper bar 19. The supporting frame operates to support a plurality of upright guides 20, one corresponding to each electrode and these guides are movably mounted in the present instance on the mam frame 1G. Their mounting is such as to permit their being adjusted laterally and in a .direction substantially parallel with the axis of the furnace. They are also mounted so that they can be tilted in a vertical plane. For this purpose, in the main frame 16 I provide an upper horizontal bar Q1 which operates as a pivot bar for the guides. Each guide has a Sleeve Q2 loosely mounted on the bar 21, and each guide is preferably constructcd ot a pair of substantially vertical bars 22') which are parallel and disposed aparl. The lower ends of these bars 23 arc provided with means for adjusting them with respect to the axis ot the pivot bar 21, see Figure 5. 'lhis means is in the form oin a yoke 2 44 secured to the lower end oi each guide bar 23 and through' which a lower 'fics scicmng u@ on on Y?, "Ich cubic being midi m and 'f A 1 mace Where, i m which may be, ic w Whse?. 39. These Awhich support i'fbvey. wiich are ci dawn 'in guides g 'l .wif 'Dictellrf,

.im Nb has has@ 'ding c cmcvabic @6g d algo cap sph@ c and the ncfy securing thc cap in its closed position,

*die upper face c' h@ cover i; and cach clcctmdc is Sup- ?3 del' 30 Carried mi Hic mid of col'gpcning zum E.

The-se cach comprise a. rigid cody Wiii a, socket which. is cpan cn the aide of 'the bcd'y, curl 'thc bcdy of @zich hcidci is provided. wii a @up .fi'icvaby mounted cn the bcdy so as c@ close i open Side of the sccke. By swinging this cap open the electrodc can bc iiacricd in thc socket by c. iatcm ififwcmemt.- L also provide means or' The bcdy :5l o each 'holder is constructed in the form of a block Wi'h a inta-ally projecting fooi; which cnabies it to bc atmchecbby means @if insulatcd bolts 553 to the end Cf its crm 8. The cuter pcrticn ci the body 5l is formed int@` a scckc, with n. concave inner 'face SLI, am@ opening out cn the Sidc of th@ body. also fgrcvdc n. bushing. The bushing lustratcd consists of a bushing segment 0T section 5T having a Semi-cylindrical nncr face t0 against h@ cleat-mdc, and. n outer conical face The concave face is prcci'nbiy of cyii irica form, sce Figure so as; ic iii; againsfo the side of' the cccmais? While Gu'tcr face is tapced 01` cominci H t mer of a cap 59.

@n *che cuter cf thc body the @up 59 iS picvidcf which hug concave imi 'ae GQ opposite m che concave face 54.- zmd this cap is pivcliy Sup'k'ioed on dic 5051.3* on a pivot 6l. @ravida :L snap catch or sp1-ing 'hitch for homing the ciccc, and this is; plcfcicbit in the form ci' a, simple hitch 62 pivoted 63 on the side of the body and having a. koepel' shoulder at its cuter portion which engages c vez a 65 1F01-med im thc outa Sicie G' the cap. in pa'cing the paced in position against, the concave face 'v'.iic h@ 59 is in its cpan Qosition. Ti cccmodc than ifmcucc Say n, iat cmi i'icvcmeit. ""hc handle @G (if ich@ cap is' i i ccp is Swing As Y outer por'bicnsmilies i '.ffxc i on the Milch and. he Milch back cui; o Way so u; Jim ccp isc close against -hcout/e1;-V

' thc body. '.vhc bushing 5?' is than ...me posfic-i'i. v he pivot pin '6X3 of ''iic hitch 62 pff@ with cci?. 63, clic cud cf ih@ Spying being ntic i so i's cuzccnd against the its ip ci water through it in the usual Way. As illustrated, this Water will be received through a 'T (S9 haring a hose T0 connecting to'a boss Tl .on the side of the body in such a Way that the Water "will be admitted to. a 'ater chamber T2 formed in the body. The T v(i9 is also connected b v a flexible hose T with an elbow T-l attached tothe outer side of the cap near the hinge pin (3l. Through this elbow the water flows into a Water chamber To. Figure l0, and the water finds outlet troni this` Water chamber through a loop oflfose 7G which passes up through the upper wall of the water Chaniber, yand is connected to the water chamber T2. see Figure, 9. v

The circulatingr water passes out from the body through a discharge pipe 7i'.4 The electric current is carried to the holders by means o t flexible cables T9. each cable having a conical head T9 secured in a socket 8O bolted to the side o'' the foot. 52;

In operating the furnace, when the same is tilted by the tilting'meehanism 13 so that it rocks on its trunnion 11. the bars 23 pt the guide 20 operate to hold the arms 8 securely, and this construction prevents the relatively heavy Weight ot the electrode yon'the outer endsof'the arms from producing anyundue swinging' movement at the ends of the arms 8, which would ei'ect. the alinement of the electrodes.

' In building the cover, it may be built upon an arched form in the usual Way, the

' cap 4 beingr set in Aposition like the keystone of an arch.

In )lacing the electrodes in position throng the cover, if their alinement is not such as to permit them to enter the electrode opening, their a'linement can be altered as desired, by adjusting the guides 2O along the bars 2l and 9,5. or by adjusting the'sei'. screws 26.`

After the electrodes have been properly located. the openingr 7 through the cap s should he closed b v means of the filler bricks which are ot' course ot refractory material.

The pulle)y brackets 3.3 can then be adjusted into line with the arms.

By operating the hand wheels 39 the drum 3S can be rotated so as to raise or lower the electrodes at will. During this movement the sleeves 9.9 slide 'freely on the guide bars 23.

The electrodes can be readily attached to their holders 50 by swinging open the caps 59.

By reason of the fact that there is no tapered bushing used on the inner side of the `socket it will be evident that the, electrode holder holds the electrode in fixed alinement with respect to the axis of the holder.

The flange 56 ot the bushing,r 57 may be out away as shown so as to provide clearance for the hose connection 7G.

It is understood that the embodiment the invention described herein is only one ot' the many einlualinients this invention may take and I do not Wish to be limited in `he practice of my invention nor in 'my claims to the particular einlmdinient set forth.

1vll/hat I elaine is:

l. In an electric furnace, the combination ot' an electrode, a cover having an opening therethrough larger than the electrode and receiving the same so to permit lateral inovenientof the electrode in adjusting the same Within the furnace, support for the electrode, and means tor adjusting,r the electrode in a horizontal direction within the opening, to alter the relation ot' the electrode to the side walls ot the furnace.

2. In an electric furnace. the combination of a cover havin;f an (meningl therethroiurh for the electrode, said opening beineV larger than the electrode, a support for the elec-- trede to hold the sanie in the opening. means foldadjustipg the electrode in a lmrizoutal direction to aline the same in the opening, and alililer ot'refractor'v material disposed at the side of the electrode tor closingthe opening after the electrode is in place.

3. In an electric furnace, a rover having; an elongated' openingL `tor the electrode. means Ylor supporting the electrode in the, opening, andnieans for fidiusling the electrode longitudinally of the opening. or .iaterallvv with respect to the opening` to aline the same therein.

4. In an electric furnace. a cover having an elongated openingl therein, a plurality of electrodes disposed in the said opening. means for supporting the electrodes. and means 'for adjusting' the electrodes ina horizontal direction longitudinallyy o l the said opening and relativeny to said cover.

In an electric furnace. a cover having a. cap of reiractorf.Y material with a horizontally elongated opening therethrough, means for supporting: an electrode in the opening). and a. iiller in the torni ot a plurality o1: separate blocks ot refractory material rrceived in the opening between its edge and the side ot the electrode, and operatingl Ii.- hold the electrode positioned in the 'open` ing.

6. In an electric furnfuie1 a cover having a Iii?,

cap member with an elongated opening'` therein. means for supporting a plurality o electrodes disposed in the opening, and a fillerin the iorin of separate blocks ot refractory material received in the opening; between the electrodes operating to close. the

'Y opening.

7. In an electric furnace, e cover having a cap member disposed over the middle axis ol the cover, said cap member being divided longitudinally into cap-sections., and having` an elongated opening therein, a plurality et esct'odes dspsed in dus awning, ai@ means for supporting' and. adjustng'hs dci/redes Ito aline hem in the @paging 8. h an elct'c fuf'nace, s @Ver 'having an eongaed cap membe divf'ic'ed sngtui Rally int iw@ side x'nembexs and. extending over h@ unace body ss cap msmbm' has ing im.elongaedbpenng hsraen. a, phu'gy of eecrodes mounted in the opening, and reracory lsr'hocks ds'pusmf in the ends of the opening bsyon 'me Oumxmst lec trodes and in the spiace bfsrtwsen die @icctrades.

9. n an electric umacsfa @may having an electrode Opening h'smhi'ougl.; :i supporting frame extendzlg up at he side of the furnace, an electrode zu* suppclng 'fra-me, means 'fm' ajusiug h@ electrode arm in :L direction substantially parallel wh a. hmzoaa axis of dm *FLW- mace7 and means '01' adjusting h@ elec@ ods im to tik the same and skier *das dreon of abs axis 'the electoda.

1.0. 'in am electric unac's, an desnuda suppmtng frame extending @he sisi@ of the u'mace, :md oomprsing a Q35 up sight bars disposed spam, au esuode arm havia-:4g seeves gude ma ss uprgh bayss means 'for hodmg the elscm'sde slm at @if ferent levels @n Eile sac upright bam, mi mss'ns im sisctng s sela adusmens che hm's.

l2. n mi deci; 'imma-1, im eectmds supporting imms @Kissing up at se of 511s mnacs and mfuing n uprigl guide pivota'ly mmmd iss swing on a umizombal axis on .tbs suppmng frame, Cmd means foi eecisg adj'elsmmtpi th@ guide with respec i0 said sans uit th@ electrode m carried on the and thereby mow 'owel @n of 'the slssA guide? an alsclods sym mow-,bly mounted on me guds means fof sf'ec'tmg im agustment bar, and ajusngg means csr, by the 310k@ moved laterally into the socket, a cap pivotally mounted on the body to swing over and close the open side of the socket, and means forpsecuring'the cap in its closed position.

20. In an electric furnace, an electrode holder having a body rigid with a socket, said socketbeing open onthe side of theL body and having a concave i-nner face, a cap pivotally mounted on said body and having a concave inner face opposite the concave face of the body, said cap and body cooperating to permit the electrode to be placed in the socket by a lateral movement, said concave faces cooperating to hold the electrode in the socket, and a movable latch for holding the cap in its closed position.

21. In an electric furnace, an electrode holder comprising a body with a socket hav-, ing a substantially cylindrical `face, said socket being open on the side of 'the bodyopposite the said inner face, a cap pivotally mounted on the body to swing over and close the open side of the socket; and having a substantially conical inner face cooperating with the first named inner face to hold the electrode, means for latching thel cap to the body in its closed position, and a bushing section held in the socket between the body andthe cap foi clamping the'side of the electrode.

22. In an electric furnace, an electrode holder comprising a body with a socket, said socket being open on its side, a cap pivotally mounted on the body to swing overand close the open side ot' the socket, and a latch having a pivotal connection with the body and having a keeper shoulder tor engaging the cap, said cap having a seat for the keeper shoulder, said seat and the face of Said keeper shoulder being disposed substantially at right angles to a radial line drawn from the axis of the pivotal connection of the latch.

23. In an- 'elettric `furnace, an electrode holder comprising a body with a socket, said socket being open on its side. a cap pivotally mounted on the body to swing over aud close the open side oit the socket, and a latch having a pivotal connection with the body and having a keeper shoulder for engaging the cap, Said cap having a seat for the keeper shoulder, said seat and the tace ot said keeper shoulder being disposed substantially at right angles to a' radial line drawn from the axis of the pivotal connection of the' latch, said latch having a spring for ineving the saine' toward the Hapand having a carni face cooperating with the cap when it swings shut tp displace the latch and pei-Init the cap to 'move to its closed position, so that the latch snaps over the seat'.

Signed'at Los Angeles, California, this 27th day of. July 1923.

LLOYD D. KAY. 

